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| giant_anteater [2023/09/27 16:22] – zookeeper | giant_anteater [2023/09/27 16:22] (current) – zookeeper |
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| This species of medium-sized mammal is the only living species in its genus. Its genus in turn is one of only two in the family //Myrmecophagidae//, the other, //Tamandua//, containing arboreal anteaters of as far north as central Mexico and as far south as northern Uruguay. The Giant Anteater inhabits a large range across South America – though in some areas further north and south of its current range it has been known to exist; but is no longer believed to. Most of the giant anteater’s range is believed to exist in the Chaco region of Argentina – where there exists a terrain of varied soil firmness and presence of woodland. The known range of the Giant Anteater is believed to find a ‘barrier’ at the Andean mountain range – where the terrain is too harsh for the animal to live. Both the ground-dwelling Giant Anteater and tree-dwelling tamanduas shared a common ancestor until some 15 million years ago. The comparative size of the giant anteater may be due to island isolation prior to 3 million years ago – with the prime predator of the animal, the jaguar, only crossing into South America around that time. Few jaguar live in the Chaco today, and so in this area anteaters are seemingly especially abundant. | **T**his species of medium-sized mammal is the only living species in its genus. Its genus in turn is one of only two in the family //Myrmecophagidae//, the other, //Tamandua//, containing arboreal anteaters of as far north as central Mexico and as far south as northern Uruguay. The Giant Anteater inhabits a large range across South America – though in some areas further north and south of its current range it has been known to exist; but is no longer believed to. Most of the giant anteater’s range is believed to exist in the Chaco region of Argentina – where there exists a terrain of varied soil firmness and presence of woodland. The known range of the Giant Anteater is believed to find a ‘barrier’ at the Andean mountain range – where the terrain is too harsh for the animal to live. Both the ground-dwelling Giant Anteater and tree-dwelling tamanduas shared a common ancestor until some 15 million years ago. The comparative size of the giant anteater may be due to island isolation prior to 3 million years ago – with the prime predator of the animal, the jaguar, only crossing into South America around that time. Few jaguar live in the Chaco today, and so in this area anteaters are seemingly especially abundant. |
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| By far the largest anteater, this species measures from the nose to the body, excluding the tail, some 1.25 metres – with the bushy tail almost as long as the body itself. A male anteater can weigh up to some 40 kilogrammes - with females typically weighing less. Unusual for an anteater, and for a mammal of its size and inhabitance, the tail is covered in grizzled hairs; where they are in abundance. Despite not being heavily arboreal; though it has been observed scaling termite mounds for food; the tail is comparative in relative size to that of the three arboreal anteaters. One purpose of the anteater’s tail seems to be that it can be used as a ‘blanket’ when the animal is sleeping. They do not regularly dig burrows as do armadillos – but prefer to find a secluded area of bush or comparable foliage. Giant anteaters have been observed to have surprising climbing ability – with some individuals being observed to climb trees as tall as 20 metres. The ears and eyes of the animal are small – but of most anatomical significance of the animal’s head is its elongated skull. The skull mostly consists of the snout; which has a small, inflexible jawbone. It has no teeth – but contains a sticky tongue which is about 35 centimetres in length. The sense of smell is potent – often considered to be 40 times as powerful as that of a human’s. The anteater’s body is predominantly a grey or brown colour – with the hindquarters of the animal being slightly darker than are the front quarters. The anteater’s body has a thick, black stripe which surpasses some portion of the front legs – which has a whiteish outline. When walking, the arched posture of the anteater is noticeable – especially if it has its head towards the ground as it forages for insects. The front legs of the anteater are a lighter colour – though the area just above the knuckles is black. When walking, anteaters assume a stance not unlike larger primates – in that they walk on their knuckles. The front claw of the anteater has large claws – which can be used to deter predators, or to dig into insect nests. The five toes between them have three large claws and one smaller one – the fifth toe is without a claw. The back feet, which are largely flat, have five toes and five claws. Little difference exists between the sexes. | By far the largest anteater, this species measures from the nose to the body, excluding the tail, some 1.25 metres – with the bushy tail almost as long as the body itself. A male anteater can weigh up to some 40 kilogrammes - with females typically weighing less. Unusual for an anteater, and for a mammal of its size and inhabitance, the tail is covered in grizzled hairs; where they are in abundance. Despite not being heavily arboreal; though it has been observed scaling termite mounds for food; the tail is comparative in relative size to that of the three arboreal anteaters. One purpose of the anteater’s tail seems to be that it can be used as a ‘blanket’ when the animal is sleeping. They do not regularly dig burrows as do armadillos – but prefer to find a secluded area of bush or comparable foliage. Giant anteaters have been observed to have surprising climbing ability – with some individuals being observed to climb trees as tall as 20 metres. The ears and eyes of the animal are small – but of most anatomical significance of the animal’s head is its elongated skull. The skull mostly consists of the snout; which has a small, inflexible jawbone. It has no teeth – but contains a sticky tongue which is about 35 centimetres in length. The sense of smell is potent – often considered to be 40 times as powerful as that of a human’s. The anteater’s body is predominantly a grey or brown colour – with the hindquarters of the animal being slightly darker than are the front quarters. The anteater’s body has a thick, black stripe which surpasses some portion of the front legs – which has a whiteish outline. When walking, the arched posture of the anteater is noticeable – especially if it has its head towards the ground as it forages for insects. The front legs of the anteater are a lighter colour – though the area just above the knuckles is black. When walking, anteaters assume a stance not unlike larger primates – in that they walk on their knuckles. The front claw of the anteater has large claws – which can be used to deter predators, or to dig into insect nests. The five toes between them have three large claws and one smaller one – the fifth toe is without a claw. The back feet, which are largely flat, have five toes and five claws. Little difference exists between the sexes. |
